Once upon a time, he had tried hard to become a good king. But that was until the country was destroyed. Now, he had given up everything; even sold his soul to the devil. He knew that as long as he dabbled with revenge, he would eventually ruin himself. Are you going to die on the side of the road, or will you be executed? Since he entered the castle of Armenia by marriage, he would probably be captured the moment he killed Queen Alana, and he would meet his end. Luciano looked blankly at the sky.
──Destroy everyone. Die equally.
♔♔♔
Luciano stood out notably if he did not hide within his black robe. Since his childhood, his good looks have been described as the jewel of Serrat. His silver hair had not been cut since the country was destroyed, and after four years it had reached the level of his waist. No one would notice him as the Prince of Serrat. Once upon a time, he was famed to be like the sun, but now he was in darkness. Though his appearance was beautiful, the atmosphere he brought with him fuelled unfathomable anxiety. Most of the people who faced his presence shrivelled in fear or wore expressions of surprise. But for Alana, that did not seem to be the case. She looked at him without changing her expression, as if she were void of emotions to begin with. No, her green eyes reflected him. In reality, it felt more like she did not feel anything from him. Was she wise or stupid? Luciano, who was good at calculating others’ attitude, had difficulty reading her.
“Emilio, I’m sorry to call you. You must have felt uncomfortable.” The small Alana who stood in the white room, her posture upright and elegant, looked ephemeral. They met once again, two weeks following the ball. Luciano observed every inch of her as he passed through the queen’s private room. Her white dress matched her platinum hair, which made her pure white skin stand out even more so. But at the same time, also the paleness of her face. Her physical condition did not seem to be good. There were no guards or servants in the room. Was it lacking in vigilance or merely asking for a death wish, to call for a stranger without any person in place?
──Why do you want to die despite being born in such a blessed environment?
Immediately after he thought that he shook his head, and washed them away. He was going to kill her anyway. “Alana, is this unpleasant feeling due to an interrogation by the Chancellor? Or did the doctor examine your body?”
After Alana told the Chancellor she would marry a foreign baron, Luciano was called to the castle many times and was interrogated. It seemed that the regent of Armenia should not choose a non-royal companion as their spouse. Especially because the Queen herself twisted the law and forcibly chose her husband. The Queen’s decision, which had never shown an ounce of her will, was a blue sky for her vassals. * They did not even try to hide their suspicion of Luciano.
*Talking about how her decisions weren’t ever selfish, so the vassals could do what they wanted, like it was a blank canvas to dictate political affairs.
──To them, I suppose I am evil for deceiving and manipulating the Queen. Not knowing that this girl wants to die irresponsibly, what a happy bunch. What kind of queen is this?
Luciano ridiculed himself for being the villain. “I was expecting to be interrogated and to be examined. I’m the prince consort, so my identity and reproductive function are of national interest. I have no problems with my genitals and no venereal disease. In the first place, even if I carried any pathogens, I cannot transfer it to you.”
He bent a little and whispered to Alana’s ear. “You won’t live long, and I won’t hold you.” Alana looked straight ahead of her, not looking at him. “I’m of the same opinion,” she said. “I will not spend the night with you. We will not meet after marriage, but when the time comes to hand me my death, then please come to your room. The door is always open in front of you.”
Alana came forward. From under her long white dress, he glimpsed the golden tips of her shoes. “I heard from the Chancellor. You have a close aide from the state of Nogueira you would like to bring. The Chancellor forbids you, but I will arrange for them to enter the castle, so please feel free. Also, there may be times you need a night to yourself. In that case, you can spend your time as you like.”
Her words showed she recognised his lover. Her only interest seemed to be her own death. Luciano frowned involuntarily. “Isn’t this a problem? No matter how much, you’re giving your husband too much freedom.”
Alana closed her eyes. “In this country, the monarch’s will determines the freedom of their spouse. My late father and brother did not give their wife freedom. But I will not interfere with anything if you keep your oath.”
Freedom should be desirable. But it was not convincing.
──What is this woman thinking about? Is there a hidden side? This petite little queen. But I can’t get to the bottom of it, and it seems like it’s a big reason.
“Queen, when is the deadline for your life? When do you want to die?”
“I’d like to say right away, but I’ll leave it to you.”
The air seemed to move because Alana started walking. Her steps were delicate and slow, like flowers swaying in the wind. He chased them with his eyes.